Brazilian filmmaker Eduardo Coutinho, one of Latin America's leading documentarians, was stabbed to death allegedly by his son today in his home in Rio de Janeiro, reported by news site R7. The son Daniel Coutinho, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, is also responsible for stabbing his mother who was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Born May 11, 1933, Coutinho was one of Brazil's greatest documentary filmmakers who was highly regarded for his formally distinguished and innovative style. His influential works highlight the storytelling abilities of ordinary people in films of rare beauty and impact. Coutinho's favorite theme throughout his filmography has been the investigation of the fine line between fiction and reality.

He received numerous awards for his documentaries, which include Twenty Years Later - Man Labeled to Die, (1964/1984), filmed over a period of two decades, Master, a Building in Copacabana (2002), Babilônia 2000 (2000), Metalworkers (2004), The End and the Beginning (2005) and Playing (2006). His screenwriting credits include Doña Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976).

In 2009, The Museum of Modern Art presented a retrospective of eight seminal works by Coutinho as part of the Premiere Brazil! series, including the world premiere of his film Moscou and a special TropiChat session with him and director Bruno Barreto. Last year, Coutinho was invited as an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member.

Cinema Tropical's programs are made possible with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. They are also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the National Endowments for the Arts, and the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture.